Amazon has placed its largest-ever order for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), with over 200 new eActros 600 trucks from Mercedes-Benz joining its fleet later this year.

This is part of Amazon’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, focusing on route efficiency, zero-emission vehicles, and expanding charging infrastructure.

The electric trucks will be deployed across high-mileage routes that make up Amazon’s middle-mile network in the UK and Germany, transporting trailers to and from Amazon’s fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations. Combined, the zero-exhaust emission vehicles are expected to transport more than 350 million packages each year once fully operational.

Amazon will install 360kW electric charging points at key sites, capable of charging the battery of the 40-tonne trucks from 20 to 80 per cent in just over an hour; and will work with stakeholders to support the installation of external charging points in suitable locations to enable longer journeys.

“This order of more than 200 electric trucks underlines our commitment to being a leader in electrifying heavy goods transportation in Europe,” says Andreas Marschner, Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Operations Sustainability

“It is the biggest electric heavy truck order by Amazon to date anywhere in the world, and is an important step as we work to achieve our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040.”

Amazon is also investing more than €1 billion in the coming years to further electrify and decarbonise its transportation network across Europe to help reduce carbon emissions associated with delivering packages to customers.

In addition to eHGVs, Amazon and its delivery partners have more than 3,000 electric vans delivering packages to customers across Europe and this number is expected to grow to more than 10,000 vehicles by the end of 2025.

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